[extropy-chat] extreme inequality *and* wealth-sharing as downregulators

[Sahyinepu]

On Sunday, October 31, 2004, at 03:20 PM, Hal Finney wrote:
>
>
> Some might argue that we should give all of our wealth until we are
> at the same level of the poor we have donated to.  In this way, one
> life is made more difficult, while many others are greatly improved.
> The net happiness in the world would almost certainly be increased if
> each of us adopted this policy.
>
> How can we turn away from this logic?

Though I agree that at least one part of growing up, as an individual, 
is to realize that a mass grab of anything and everything is not 
necessary for one's being, I also don't think that one can necessarily 
"save" anyone from their fate.

I do believe that people should have the opportunity to improve their 
condition, and for many in other countries, that is greatly hindered.  
But here in this country, we see evidence that even when great 
opportunity is given, some just do not want to take it, and continue to 
make bad decisions.  We have countless scientists and medical 
professionals telling us we need to take care of both our environment 
and ourselves, and yet many ignore them, preferring to look outside of 
themselves for boogymen(like terrorists) to focus on.  Realistically, 
we are probably in greater threat of having a major health crisis in 
the next coming years than we are of facing the threat of a dirty bomb.

This is one thing I see over and over again.  Be it science, 
government, or religion, many continue to look outside of themselves 
for a savior.  And yet many still continue to ignore advice.  We set up 
systems upon systems to babysit ourselves as we continue to fall deeper 
and deeper asleep at the wheel of our conscious minds.  And then we 
throw fits when we realize how much our individual powers have slipped 
away.

I find it difficult to tackle the question of how we can help others 
when so many here, with so much opportunity, continue to make as stupid 
if not even dumber mistakes than those around us.  If we think we can 
fix anything by giving out money/creating financial security, minimum 
wage jobs would have all but created a utopia here....or something like 
that.

Sah